Bag display frame



Oct. 13, 1959 J c, CHENETTE 2,908,463

BAG DISPLAY FRAME Filed Feb. 14, 1957 INVENTOR. JOSEPH C.CHENETTE,

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A TTORNEY 2,998,463 Patented Oct. 13, 1959 2,908,463 BAGDISPLAY FRAME Joseph Chenette, Hollywood, Fla.

Application 14, 1957, Serial No. 640,172

3 Claims. (Cl. 248-95) This invention relates to bag display frames whereby an empty display bag may be fully extended to simulate the appearance of a bag filled with the product to be displayed.

The invention contemplates frame means that are assembled in a manner to form a substantially rectangular frame that has its dimensions such as to snugly engage within the display bag to be expanded and with the frame means being assembled or disassembled in a simple manner for shipment and storage or, when assembled to be disposed relatively rigid for insertion within the empty bag.

The invention also contemplates various modifications whereby frame members are assembled to be swingable to a collapsed relatively parallel relation in one direction and swingable in the opposite direction whereby to form a generally rectangular frame for insertion within the empty display bag and that will maintain the walls of the bag in a fully expanded relation to simulate the appearance of bags that are filled.

Novel features of construction and operation of the invention will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein has been illustrated the preferred forms of the device and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of separable frame members constituting the preferred form of the device,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separable frame members in assembled relation,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one of the connecting means between the frames,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a modified expandable frame device wherein the frames are permanently connected together and,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modified form of separable frame members in connected relation.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1-3 inclusive, the numeral '5 designates an assembled frame, embodying units 6 and 7. The units 6 and 7 are substantially identical in construction and are preferably formed of a relatively heavy gauge and relatively stiff wire construction. Each of the frame members 6 and 7 embody vertical leg portions 8 and horizontal arm portions 9 and 10. As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3 the frame members intermediate their width are offset and with the arms 9 and 10 being parallel and in the same horizontal plane. The frames 6 and 7 are each formed of a continuous section of wire. The arms *9 are connected by an angularly disposed integral coil 11 that has an inner diameter substantially that of the wire itself. The arms 10 intermediate the width of the frame terminate in angul-arly and axially disposed end portions 12 that are unconnected. The

manner.

coils 11 form angular sockets for the reception of the ends 12.

It is contemplated that the frame members 6 and 7 shall be formed and shipped in a disassembled relation, whereby they may be snugly nested together in a package requiring relatively little space. When the frames are to be assembled whereby to form an expansion means for an empty display bag, a pair of frames are selected and inverted with respect to each other. The operator then proceeds to flex the legs 8 outwardly, separating the two end portions 12 and then progressively inserting the ends 12 into the opposite ends of the socket formed by the coil 11. This operation is repeated at both the upper and lower end of the device and, with the end portions 12 being disposed within the coils 11 substantially equal distances, a relatively rigid frame is provided, such as illustrated in Figure 2. and whereby the frames 6 and 7 are angularly disposed with respect to each other, forming a generally rectangular frame device having a height, width and thickness corresponding generally to the inner dimensions of the bag to be expanded. With the frames in assembled relation as shown in Figure 2, the frame is then inserted within an open end of :the bag and forced downwardly to the maximum depth corresponding to the normally closed opposite end, such action disposing the bag walls in a relatively taut condition whereby display advertising and the like may be readily observed. The open end of the bag is then closed and secured in any desirable manner, thus giving the effect for display purposes of -a fully filled bag that may be disposed in Various places within a show window or other area of the establishment dispensing the product or, due to its light weight, the device may be supported upon wall areas, shelving or the like.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, generally corresponding frame members 13 are connected together at their upper and lower ends by rivets 14. This forms a desirable type of bag expansion frame, but the parts are fixedly connected together to be swung in reverse directions whereby they may be disposed in separated relation as in the first form of the invention or when swung in the opposite direction may be disposed relatively close together. The purpose of this form of the invention is merely to disclose a bag display frame that may be manufactured and assembled for subsequent expansion.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, a further bag display frame has been provided that includes frame members 16 and 17. The frame members 16 and 17 are identically formed, for purpose of illustration there has only been illustrated one connected end of the frame, since the opposite end will be connected in a like The frames 16 include vertical leg portions 18 and horizontal arm portions 19. Each arm portion 19 terminates in a downwardly directed hook 20. The frame 17 embodies the vertical legs 18 and downwardly and inwardly angled arm portions 21 that terminate in an upwardly directed loop 22. As before stated, the frame 17 at its lower end, corresponds to the upper end of the frame 16, while the frame 16 corresponds at its lower end to the configuration of the upper end of the frame 17.

The assembly of the device in Figure 5, the hooks 20 of the arm portions 19 are flexed downwardly for joint engagement within the loop 22. The lower end of the frames are connected in a similar manner, thus disposing the frame device in a manner whereby the frames may have a pivotal connection with each other so that in one position the frames will be stopped in their swinging movement to form the expansion means for the empty display bag and, when swung in the opposite direction may be disposed in relatively close parallel relation to each other. It is contemplated that the arms 19 and 21 shall be offset generally corresponding to the offset of the arms 9 and 10 of the preferred form of the device.

It'will be apparent from the foregoing that a very simple form of frame device has been provided whereby to quickly and easily permit of its insertion within an empty display bag and that will expand the bag to its maximum dimensions. The structure is economically formed, is strong, durable and "highly effective for the purpose stated.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction illustrated, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall Within the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An insertable bag display device whereby a flexible bag may be expanded to give the illusion of being filled, comprising a frame device that includes a pair of identical relatively stiff connectable wire frames of rectangular shape and with each frame being formed from a continuous section of wire and with each frame having vertical parallel leg portions and upper and lower horizontal and parallel arms, the arms at one end of each frame and intermediate their length being angled and twisted to form an openly coiled tubular socket that is open at opposite ends, the arms at the opposite end of each frame being separated intermediate their length, the frames at assembly being inverted with respect to each other and angularly disposed, with the free ends of the separate arms disposed in the sockets from opposite directions and whereby the frames are fixedly held in their angled relation against shifting and with the vertical legs at each edge of the assembled device being in spaced relation, the said frame device when assembled adapted to be inserted into the bag to be expanded substantially conforming to the inner dimensions of the bag and with the leg portions being disposed in the corners of the bag.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower arms intermediate their length are angled and whereby the frames intermediate their width are offset, the angled relation of the arms disposing the tubular sockets with the openings from both ends and whereby the opposite separated ends of the arms upon the other frame may be inserted into the sockets with their separated ends in abutting relation to dispose the legs of the frame members in spaced apart relation.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the arms at one end of each frame are bent intermediate their length to form the socket forming coil and with the convolutions of the coil being spaced apart, the coil having an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the wire forming the frame and whereby the separated ends of the arms of an adjacent frame snugly engage the coil from opposite ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

